NORMAL, Ill. – For the 14th time this spring, the Illinois State football team took the field at Hancock Stadium on Friday afternoon for its final workout prior to the culmination of the spring practice session.
Taking the field in helmets only and running through a crisp and quick practice, the Redbirds put their final touches on game plans prior to Saturday's annual Spring Showcase. The team scrimmage will be the anchor to a full day of activities and will give Redbird fans in attendance their first look at the 2018 football squad.
Spring Showcase Activities:
•   Saturday's festivities will begin with the Redbird Athletics Garage Sale, which runs from 9-10:30 a.m. inside Horton Field House (cash and check only)
•   The ninth-annual Kids Football Fest will follow on the playing field at Hancock Stadium, weather permitting. Registration will begin at 10 a.m., with the program starting at 10:30 a.m., and running until noon. The event is free and open to all Reggie's Kids Club members ages 12 and under, with adult supervision
•   Activities include a catching station with the Redbird quarterbacks, a field goal station with the Redbird kickers, throwing accuracy, tackling stations and an obstacle course
•   An expanded Reggie's Kids Club Fun Zone will then be available to Kids Football Fest Participants and other children in attendance from Noon-1 p.m., prior to kickoff of the annual Spring Showcase scrimmage
•   Hancock Stadium East concourse concession stands will be open beginning at noon and will feature a $6 hot dog, chips and 16 ounce soda combo deal. Parking for all the day's activities will be free in lots G73, G83, G64, and G53 adjacent to the stadium
Here's a look at how this year's Spring Showcase scrimmage will be played:
•   The Redbirds will be equally divided into two teams (Red and White) with the first-team offense and second-team defense making up one team and the second-team offense and first-team defense comprising the other squad.
•   The scrimmage will consist of four quarters of 15 minutes each with a running clock
•   There will also be an 8 minute halftime, during which Redbird 4 Life alumni in attendance will be recognized and thanked by current players on field
•   There will be no kickoffs, and field position will be attained by punting with receivers calling for a fair catch
•   The scrimmage will be "LIVE", meaning everyone is eligible to be tackled except for the quarterbacks
•   Extra points and field goals will be kicked by their respective units when necessary, but will not be live.
•   Points will be tallied at the end of the day, with the team earning the most points being declared the game's winner.
For fans that can't make it to the stadium, the Spring Showcase will be broadcast live on The Redbird Sports Network on WJBC AM 1230, with Dick Luedke, Ted Schmitz and Craig Bertsche on the call. The 90-minute broadcast will feature interviews with football staff, coaches, players and feature breakdowns of the 2018 roster and schedule. It can also be listened to on GoRedbirds.com and via the TuneIn app beginning at 1 p.m.
GoRedbirds.com: Â Your online source for Illinois State Athletics, tickets, Weisbecker Scholarship Fund gifts, multimedia, Redbird merchandise, photos and more.
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